Two goalkeeping errors by Loris Karius cost Liverpool in their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month

Lazio have been reluctant to let him go, but Liverpool have received a huge boost in their bid to sign the Albanian, as the Italians are close to completing a deal for Strakosha's replacement, Silvio Proto.

This would open the door for the Reds to swoop in and complete their third signing of the summer.

Liverpool have been searching for a permanent first-choice goalkeeper for sometime with Karius and Simon Mignolet both uninspiring in recent years.

While the former appeared to have gotten the upper hand over the Belgian, his Champions League final horror show caused fresh concerns and began the search for a replacement.